Isaiah 65:3

A people that provoketh me to anger continually to my face; that sacrificeth in gardens, and burneth incense upon altars of brick;

A people {H5971} that provoketh me to anger {H3707} continually {H8548} to my face {H6440}; that sacrificeth {H2076} in gardens {H1593}, and burneth incense {H6999} upon altars of brick {H3843};

a people who provoke me to my face all the time, sacrificing in gardens and burning incense on bricks.

to a people who continually provoke Me to My face, sacrificing in the gardens and burning incense on altars of brick,

a people that provoke me to my face continually, sacrificing in gardens, and burning incense upon bricks;

Commentary

Isaiah 65:3 vividly describes the persistent rebellion and idolatry of the people of Israel, which deeply offended God. This verse is part of a larger passage in Isaiah 65 where God contrasts His readiness to be found by those who did not seek Him with the stubborn disobedience of His chosen people.

Context

Chapter 65 of Isaiah opens with God lamenting that He was available to be sought but His people refused Him (Isaiah 65:1-2). Verse 3 then details the specific provocations that aroused His anger. This passage sets the stage for a dramatic contrast between judgment on the unfaithful and the glorious future of the new heavens and new earth for the righteous, as described later in this very chapter (see Isaiah 65:17).

Key Themes

  • Persistent Rebellion: The phrase "provoketh me to anger continually to my face" emphasizes the unceasing and direct nature of their defiance. It wasn't accidental sin but a deliberate and ongoing affront to God's holiness and authority. This highlights the severity of their spiritual condition and the depth of God's displeasure.
  • Idolatrous Worship: "Sacrificeth in gardens" refers to the practice of offering sacrifices in groves and high places, which were common sites for pagan Canaanite worship. These rituals often involved fertility cults and immoral acts, directly violating God's command for exclusive worship (Exodus 20:3). This syncretism, mixing true worship with pagan rites, was an abomination to the Lord.
  • Disobedience in Worship Practices: "Burneth incense upon altars of brick" points to a rejection of divine instruction concerning altar construction. God had commanded altars to be made of unhewn stones or earth (Exodus 20:24-25), signifying that true worship should be built on God's revelation, not human ingenuity or pagan customs (bricks were used in places like Babel, symbolizing human pride and defiance, Genesis 11:3).

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "provoketh" (ืžึทื›ึฐืขึดื™ืกึดื™ื - makh'isim) conveys a strong sense of causing grief, vexation, and deep anger. It's not merely annoying God, but deeply wounding Him through their actions. The phrase "to my face" (ืขึทืœึพืคึธึผื ึธื™ - 'al-panay) emphasizes the direct and brazen nature of their affront, as if they were openly challenging God in His very presence.

Practical Application

Isaiah 65:3 serves as a powerful reminder of the dangers of spiritual complacency and syncretism. For believers today, it underscores the importance of:

  • Pure Worship: Ensuring our worship is focused solely on God, according to His Word, and not mixed with worldly values or practices that compromise its purity or His holiness.
  • Obedience to God's Word: Recognizing that God cares about how we worship and live, not just that we worship. Ignoring His specific instructions can be as much an act of rebellion as outright idolatry.
  • Avoiding Persistent Sin: Understanding that continual, unrepentant sin "provokes" God and jeopardizes our relationship with Him. It calls us to examine our hearts and seek genuine repentance and renewal, trusting in God's mercy and the forgiveness offered through Christ.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Isaiah 1:29

    For they shall be ashamed of the oaks which ye have desired, and ye shall be confounded for the gardens that ye have chosen.

  • Isaiah 66:17

    They that sanctify themselves, and purify themselves in the gardens behind one [tree] in the midst, eating swine's flesh, and the abomination, and the mouse, shall be consumed together, saith the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 32:21

    They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

  • Job 1:11

    But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

  • Isaiah 3:8

    For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings [are] against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.

  • Deuteronomy 32:16

    They provoked him to jealousy with strange [gods], with abominations provoked they him to anger.

  • Deuteronomy 32:19

    ยถ And when the LORD saw [it], he abhorred [them], because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters.
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